Gelbvieh

Gelbvieh (pronounced [ɡɛlbfiː], German for "yellow cattle") is a cattle breed originating in several Franconian districts of Bavaria, Germany in the mid-eighteenth century.[4][7] It was originally a triple-purpose breed, used for milk, beef and draught power; the modern Gelbvieh is primarily used for beef production.[8][9]: 88 

Gelbvieh
Conservation status
  • FAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 144 
  • DAD-IS (2021): endangered-maintained[2]
Other names
  • Frankenvieh
  • Gelbes Frankenvieh[3]
  • Gelbes Höhenvieh[4]: 186 
  • Gelbvieh Fleischnutzung[5]
Country of originGermany
Distributioninternational
Use
  • Gelbvieh: dual-purpose
  • Gelbvieh Fleischnutzung: beef
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    average 1200 kg[6]: 183 
  • Female:
    average 800 kg[6]: 183 
Height
  • Male:
    150–160 cm[6]: 183 
  • Female:
    140–145 cm[6]: 183 
Coatreddish-yellow to cream
Horn statussometimes polled
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) taurus

History

In the mid-nineteenth century, several breeds of local German cattle began to be combined into what would eventually be the Gelbvieh. The new breed was officially formed by 1920.[10]

Between 1998 and 2018 numbers in Germany fell steadily from approximately 10 000 to about 2 000.[11]

Gelbvieh have been introduced to several countries around the world, including Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa, primarily through the use of artificial insemination and some live export.[12] The first Gelbvieh genetics reached Canada in 1972 from Germany. Gelbvieh are currently the 6th largest beef breed in Canada with 3500 head registered yearly.[13] The first Gelbvieh cattle were imported to the United States from Germany in 1971 by Leness Hall. The American Gelbvieh Association was formed the same year.[9]: 88  There are currently 45,000 registered Gelbvieh cows in the United States. In January 1977, the first American National Gelbvieh Show was held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.[7]

Characteristics
Black Gelbvieh cow and Calf

Gelbvieh literally means "yellow cattle" in German, and the breed originated as golden-brown cattle with dark hooves and full body pigmentation. Through selective breeding, polled and black genetics are now also prevalent in the breed.[13] Gelbvieh cattle are known for their high rate of gain and feed efficiency, and were originally selected for easy growth, quick maturity, length of loin, leanness, docility, and longevity. They are able to adapt to many different rangelands and climate conditions. Gelbvieh females were selected to be very maternal with strong fertility, mothering instincts, good udders, and strong milk production. They are also known to have smaller-bodied offspring, allowing for ease of calving.[8]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gelbvieh.
  1. Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
  2. Breed data sheet: Gelbvieh / Germany (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2021.
  3. [GEH] (2016). Gefährdete Rinderrassen (in German). Witzenhausen : Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen. Accessed August 2021.
  4. Marleen Felius (1995). Cattle Breeds: An Encyclopedia. Doetinchem, Netherlands: Misset. ISBN 9789054390176.
  5. Breed data sheet: Gelbvieh Fleischnutzung / Germany (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2021.
  6. Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  7. American Gelbvieh Association. "Gelbvieh History and Development". American Gelbvieh Association. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  8. Eastern Canadian Gelbvieh Association. "About the Breed". Eastern Canadian Gelbvieh Association. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  9. Valerie Porter, Lynn Stone (2008). The Field Guide to Cattle. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760331927.
  10. James R. Gillespie; Frank B. Flanders (28 January 2009). Modern Livestock and Poultry Production. Cengage Learning. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-4283-1808-3.
  11. Gelbvieh (Frankenvieh) (in German). Witzenhausen : Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen. Accessed August 2021.
  12. Australian Gelbvieh Association. "History & FAQ". Australian Gelbvieh Association. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  13. About Gelbvieh Cattle. Canadian Gelbvieh Association. Archived 24 February 2012.


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